To Freeze or Not to Freeze: An Analysis of the Approaches to Maritime Boundaries amidst Global Sea Level Rise

Abstract for Scopus Indexing: This article examines the various approaches to addressing the issue of maritime baselines in the context of the current climate crisis and inevitable global sea level rise. As sea levels rise, coastal State boundaries may change due to the submersion of land and the increase of internal waters. The possible approaches to shifting maritime entitlements and boundaries include the proposal to freeze the current maritime baselines of coastal States, adapting the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to regulate changing baselines, or creating a new legal framework to handle changing maritime entitlements. In particular, this article focuses on the effect of sea level rise on low-lying island States, whose land could be entirely submerged or uninhabitable, and the legal framework that should be used to protect those States. A comprehensive solution is required to ensure that all States have their interests and entitlements protected.